Freezing mould bag, especially for freezing ice lumps

ABSTRACT

A freezing mould bag for ices is formed from two plastic foils, and has a segmented inlet channel, two closure valve flaps extending within the interior of the bag, and a constriction which provides a venturi effect closing the bag at the constriction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a freezing mould bag, especially forfreezing ice lumps or ice cubes, and more precisely a freezing mould bagproviding a self-closing effect.

Numerous freezing mould bags are known within the art, e.g. from U.S.Pat. No. 3,207,420, Re-issued U.S. Pat. No. 31,890, U.S. Pat. No.4,822,180, corresponding to European Patent No. 0 264 407, EuropeanPatent Application No. 0 129 072, International Patent Application,Publication No. WO82/00279, International Patent Application,Publication No. WO87/01183, and International Patent Application,Publication No. WO86/04561, to which Patents and Patent Applicationsreference is made, and which U.S. Patents are herewith incorporated inthe present specification by reference.

In the above-mentioned re-issued U.S. Pat. No. Re 31,890, a freezingmould bag is described and disclosed, vide FIG. 7 and the correspondingpart of the specification, comprising two closing flaps providing acheck valve of a self-closing freezing mould bag.

European Patent No. 0 264 407 also discloses a freezing mould bag whichaccording to the specification of the European Patent is adapted toprovide a self-closing function. The freezing mould bag according to theEuropean Patent comprises two closure flaps defining closure pockets ofthe freezing mould bag and is stated to seal the interior of thefreezing mould bag and to prevent that liquid or water leaks from theinterior of the freezing mould bag, provided the interior of thefreezing mould bag is filled with liquid, preferably water, intended tobe frozen to ice lumps or ice cubes.

In the specification of the above-mentioned European Patent No. 0 264407 it is specifically explained how the self-closing function isestablished as the freezing mould bag is initially completely evacuatedprior to the stage of filling the freezing mould bag with liquid orwater to be frozen within the freezing mould bag, and as the filling ofthe freezing mould bag results in a complete filling of the closurepockets of the freezing mould bag. The complete filling of the closurepockets of the freezing mould bag further results in that the closureflaps of the freezing mould bag are pressed against one another inconsequence of tensioning of the foils of the freezing mould bag, whichtensioning is established in specific weld seams providing aconstriction of an inlet channel of the freezing mould bag, which inletchannel is of a configuration basically tapering from an inlet openingof the freezing mould bag towards the interior of the freezing mouldbag. Thus, the complete filling of the interior of the freezing mouldbag is consequently based on a completely evacuated state of theinterior of the freezing mould bag prior to the filling of the interiorof the freezing mould bag and a complete filling of the interior of thefreezing mould bag, and specifically a complete filling of the closurepockets of the freezing mould bag.

Alternatively, the complete filling of the interior of the freezingmould bag according to the above-mentioned European Patent No. 0 264 407is believed to be based on the following relations, although theEuropean Patent is completely mute regarding these relations. It isbelieved that the closure pockets may be vented through venting channelsprovided between the upper turned-in edge of the freezing mould bag andthe circumferential weld seam which according to the drawing of theEuropean Patent is provided at a small distance below the upperturned-in edge of the freezing mould bag.

The self-closing function of the freezing mould bag according to theabove-mentioned European Patent No. 0 264 407 is, as explained in theEuropean Patent, dependent on a complete filling of the closure pockets,which complete filling is further dependent on, in the first place, acompletely evacuated state of the interior of the freezing mould bagprior to initiating the filling of the freezing mould bag, or, in thesecond place, dependent on a venting of the closure pockets through theabove described venting channels, as the self-closing function isestablished by filling the closure pockets with liquid or water and bygenerating a compression of the closure flaps of the freezing mould bagfor closing the freezing mould bag. The freezing mould bag according tothe European Patent is not adapted to and not intended to generate aself-closing function unless the interior of the freezing mould bag, andspecifically the closure pockets of the freezing mould bag, arecompletely filled with liquid, especially water to be frozen to icelumps or ice cubes.

The freezing mould bag according to the above-mentioned European PatentNo. 0 264 407 consequently suffers from a serious drawback in that thefreezing mould bag, provided the freezing mould bag is not completelyfilled with liquid or water resulting in that the closure pockets arenot completely filled with liquid or water, is not able to provide areliable self-closing function, i.e. generate a complete closing of theinlet channel, and consequently prevent that liquid or water leaks fromthe interior of the freezing mould bag through the inlet channel as airmay to some extent inflate the interior of the freezing mould bag priorto the filling of the interior of the freezing mould bag with liquid orwater or during the filling of the interior of the frezing mould bagwith liquid or water, and as the air is not vented to the environmentthrough the above-mentioned channels. The incomplete and unreliableself-closing function may result in a partial emptying of liquid orwater from the interior of the freezing mould bag and further result inannoyance of the consumer, as the consumer may have to wipe off spiltliquid or water. The incomplete and unreliable self-closing function ofthe freezing mould bag also results in that ice lumps or ice cubessmaller than the optimum or maximum size are generated, resulting in aless efficient utilization of the freezing mould bag for its intentionalpurpose, i.e. the freezing of ice lumps or ice cubes.

European Patent Application No. 0 129 072 further describes a freezingmould bag which according to the specification of the European PatentApplication is adapted to generate a far more elaborated self-closingfunction as compared to the function of the freezing mould bag accordingto the above-mentioned European Patent No. 0 264 407. Thus, it is statedthat a self-closing function is established even though the closurepockets are not completely filled with liquid or water, as the freezingmould bag according to She above-mentioned European Patent ApplicationNo. 0 129 072 is stated to be adapted to provide a self-closing functionindependent of a complete or partial filling out of the interior of thefreezing mould bag with liquid or water. The self-closing function ofthe freezing mould bag according to the above-mentioned European PatentApplication No. 0 129 072 is stated to be provided by means of a narrow,tubular inlet arranged within an inlet channel of the freezing mould bagand extending from the interior of the freezing mould bag through theinlet channel to a position approximately half-way along the inletchannel along the longitudinal direction of the inlet channel, in whichposition the tubular inlet is connected to two sheets of the freezingmould bag defining two closure pockets.

The freezing mould bag according to the above-mentioned European PatentApplication No. 0 129 072, however, has proven not to functionabsolutely satisfactorily as the freezing mould bag does not provide asafe and reliable self-closing function, i.e. the freezing mould bagdoes not guarantee that there is every probability that the freezingmould bag is closing as the freezing mould bag is turned upside down forgenerating a self-closing function after a complete or partial fillingof the interior of the freezing mould bag with liquid or water. Thislack of reliability is believed to be based on the following relations.The closure pockets are, on the one hand, in consequence of the smallsize of the closure pockets unable to generate a pressure capable ofclosing the inlet channel of the freezing mould bag. The structure ofthe freezing mould bag according to the above-mentioned European PatentApplication No. 0 129 072 is, on the other hand, not deduced, takinginto due consideration the hydrodynamic and hydraulic relations which,as will be explained below with reference to the detailed discussion ofthe realization on which the present invention is based, may be utilizedfor creating a safe and reliable self-closing function, i.e. aself-closing function which, as the self-closing mould bag is completelyor partially filled with liquid or water, and as the freezing mould bagis turned upside down, provides a substantially fail-safe closing of theinterior of the freezing mould bag independent of whether or not theclosure pockets are filled with liquid or air at the time theself-closing freezing mould bag is turned upside down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a freezing mould bagwhich in a safe and reliable manner is capable of generating aself-closing effect as the freezing mould bag is turned upside down,i.e. turned from a position in which an inlet opening of the freezingmould bag is facing upwardly to a position in which the inlet opening isfacing downwardly, independent of whether or not the interior of thefreezing mould bag is filled completely or partially with liquid orwater so as to guarantee that the liquid or water contained within theinterior of the freezing mould bag is confined within the interior ofthe freezing mould bag and so as to limit the amount of liquid or waterwhich is spilt from the freezing mould bag as the freezing mould bagafter filling is turned upside down to substantially no more than anamount of liquid or water confined within a section or segment of aninlet channel of the freezing mould bag and to prevent that liquid orwater not-confined within the interior of the freezing mould bag isspilt.

The above object, numerous other objects, features and advantages whichare readily understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art fromthe below detailed description of the present invention are obtained bya freezing mould bag according to the present invention comprising:

two sheets of a foil material, said sheets being of substantiallyidentical geometrical shape and defining an outer periphery,

a peripheral joint extending along the majority of said outer peripheryof said sheets, except for a peripheral area constituting an inletopening of said bag, said peripheral joint joining said sheets togetherin substantially overlapping relationship and defining an inner spacewithin the interior of said bag, said inner space constituting at leastone mould compartment, and preferably a plurality of mould compartmentsbeing interconnected and being defined by separate joints of saidsheets,

an inlet channel defined by separate joints of said sheets and extendingfrom said inner space of said bag to said inlet opening so as to provideaccess from the environment to said inner space of said bag through saidinlet channel,

two closure valve flaps connected to said sheets at said inlet openingand extending from said inlet opening within the interior of said bagtowards said inner space of said bag along said inlet channel, saidclosure valve flaps being joined together and being joined to saidsheets through said separate joints defining said inlet channel so as toprovide two closure pockets being open towards said inner space of saidbag,

said inlet channel comprising a first segment and a second segment, saidfirst segment being provided adjacent to said inlet opening, and saidsecond segment interconnecting said first segment and said mouldcompartment or mould compartments, said first segment tapering towardssaid second segment, said first segment and said second segment definingat their transition a constriction, said second segment havingdimensions so as to no substantial extent hinder the transfer of liquidthrough said second segment, and

said constriction at said transition providing a venturi effect forgenerating a pressure drop at said constriction for closing said inletchannel at said constriction as liquid is flowing from said secondsegment towards said first segment through said constriction so as togenerate a self-closing effect.

The present invention is based on the following realization. Theinterior of a freezing mould bag may be filled with liquid or wateruntil the liquid or water has reached such a height within the interiorof the freezing mould bag as any air confined within the interior of thefreezing mould bag allows. When the freezing mould bag is turned upsidedown after filling, which may comprise a complete or partial filling ofthe interior of the freezing mould bag, in which last instance an amountof air is confined within the closure pockets of the freezing mould bag,the liquid or water confined within the first and second segment of theinlet channel flows out through the inlet channel of the freezing mouldbag, whereby a relative pressure drop is generated within theconstriction defined between the first and the second segment of theinlet channel by the venturi effect, which pressure drop causes theclosure valve flaps to be pressed against one another, resulting in thatthe liquid or water flowing within the interior of the freezing mouldbag flows into the closure pockets and fills out the closure pocketsgenerating a final closing of the interior of the freezing mould bag.

According to the teaching of the present invention, it is mandatory thata segment of the inlet channel is provided behind the constriction whichsegment has dimensions so as to allow that the liquid or water may flowthrough said segment without, to any substantial extent, hinder thetransfer of liquid through said segment in order to obtain a maximumflow rate through the constriction further in order to obtain a maximumpressure drop within the constriction through the venturi effect and,consequently, in order to generate a closing of the inlet channel asfast as possible through the generation of the highest possiblepressure, and consequently the highest possible force impact to theclosure valve flaps towards one another.

It is to be realized that the freezing mould bag known from theabove-mentioned European Patent No. 0 264 407 is not able to generate aventuri effect for generating a relative pressure drop within theconstriction of the freezing mould bag, which constriction is providedby additional weld seams in case it is attempted to use the freezingmould bag of the European patent in contradiction to the technicaldisclosure of the European patent, however, in accordance with therealization on which the present invention is based, as the inletchannel tapers towards the interior of the freezing mould bag within theconstriction defined by the additional weld seams, resulting in that thesegment of the inlet channel of the freezing mould bag of the Europeanpatent, which segment as defined within the constriction of the inletchannel does not fulfil the requirement that the segment must havedimensions so as to to no substantial extent hinder the transfer ofliquid through the segment.

Within the inlet channel of the freezing mould bag according to theabove-mentioned European Patent No. 0 264 407, a joint is furtherprovided, joining the sheets of the freezing mould bag together, whichjoint is shown in the drawing and is further described fulfilling thepurpose of reducing the flow rate of the liquid or water flowing intothe interior of the freezing mould bag during the operation of fillingthe freezing mould bag. The above-mentioned joint obviously, in case thefreezing mould bag according to the European Patent No. 0 264 407 isused in accordance with the teachings of the present invention so as togenerate a closing of the inlet channel through venturi effect,obviously hinders the flowing or transfer of liquid or water from theinterior of the freezing mould bag, resulting in that a reduced flowrate of the liquid or water flowing through the inlet channel throughthe constriction thereof is generated, further resulting in that a smallrelative pressure drop is generated at the constriction defined by theabove-mentioned additional weld seams, which relatively small pressuredrop is not able to generate a swift and reliable self-closing of theinlet channel, and consequently of the freezing mould bag.

The above described freezing mould bag known from the above-mentionedEuropean Patent Application No. 0 129 072, which freezing mould bag isstated to be of a more elaborated structure than the freezing mould bagaccording to the above-mentioned European Patent No. 0 264 407, is notcapable of generating a closing of the inlet channel through venturieffect in consequence of the reduced flow area of the narrow, tubularinlet arranged within the inlet channel of the freezing mould bag asindicated above.

The closure valve flaps of the freezing mould bag according to thepresent invention may be constituted by separate flap components whichmay be made from the same material as the sheets of the freezing mouldbag or a different material of increased or reduced flexibility in orderto obtain the venturi effect, characteristic of the present invention.In accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the freezingmould bag according to the present invention, the closure valve flapsare constituted by turned-in parts of the sheets. According to thepreferred embodiment of the freezing mould bag according to the presentinvention, the closure valve flaps are consequently constituted byintegral components or parts of the sheets of the freezing mould bag. Incase the closure valve flaps are constituted by separate components orparts, the closure valve flaps may be fastened to the sheets throughjoints which may be established through glueing or welding, dependent onthe specific materials of the sheets and the closure valve flaps of thefreezing mould bag.

The closure pockets of the freezing mould bag according to theabove-mentioned European Patent No. 0 264 407 are of a configurationdefining substantially spherical or conical contact surfaces between thetwo closure pockets. Consequently, the closure pockets are in a singlepoint or single line contact providing an inadequate closing of theinterior of the freezing mould bag, resulting in that liquid or watermay leak along the weld seams defining the inlet channel of the freezingmould bag. In order to provide a more reliable and more efficientsealing of the interior of the freezing mould bag according to thepresent invention, the second segment preferably expands from theconstriction at the transition substantially along a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the inlet channel, whichlongitudinal direction defines a first direction, and which directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction or the first directionconstitutes a second direction. The above configuration of the secondsegment of the inlet channel of the freezing bag according to thepresent invention defines cylindrical surfaces of the closure pockets asthe closure pockets are distended with liquid or water, whichcylindrical surfaces provide an increased contact surface area ascompared to the spherical or conical surfaces of the closure pockets ofthe freezing mould bag according to the above-mentioned European PatentNo. 0 264 407, and consequently an increased closing pressure and a morereliable and efficient sealing.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, it ismandatory that a relative pressure drop be generated within theconstriction defined at the transition between the first and the secondsegment of the inlet channel, as the liquid or the water is flowing fromthe second segment to the first segment for generating a venturi effectwithin the constriction. In order to obtain a safe and reliable fillingof the closure pockets, as the closure valve flaps are pressed againstone another through the venturi effect, characteristic of the presentinvention, it is in accordance with the presently preferred embodimentof the freezing mould bag according to the present invention preferredthat the closure valve flaps extend from the inlet opening beyond theconstriction at the transition between the first and the second segmentof the inlet channel to a position approximately at the centre of thesecond segment.

In accordance with alternative embodiments of the freezing mould bagaccording to the present invention, the closure valve flaps extend fromthe inlet opening beyond the constriction at the transition between thefirst and the second segment of the inlet channel to a position adjacentto the constriction, or alternatively extend from the inlet openingbeyond the constriction at the transition between the first and thesecond segment of the inlet channel, substantially along the entireinlet channel, and consequently to the inner boundary of the secondsegment of the inlet channel. The length of the valve closure flaps is,as will be readily understood by a person having ordinary skill in theart, of importance, firstly as to the amount of liquid or water which isspilt as the freezing mould bag is turned upside down after the fillingof the interior of the freezing mould bag with liquid or water, as apart of the amount of water or liquid which is contained within theinlet channel is expelled as the freezing mould bag is turned upsidedown, and secondly as to the flowing of the liquid or water from theinterior of the freezing mould bag into the closure pockets. Experimentshave revealed that closure valve flaps implemented in accordance withthe above described, presently preferred embodiment of the freezingmould bag according to the present invention, fulfil the requirements asto, on the one hand, the spilling of a minimum amount of water or liquidand, on the other hand, a swift and efficient closing of the inletchannel by pressing the closure valve flaps together and a subsequentswift and efficient filling of the closure pockets.

In order to obtain an efficient self-closing of the freezing mould bagaccording to the present invention, the closure valve flaps preferablyextend to a position defining a distance from the constriction at thetransition between the first and the second segment of the inlet channelbeing at least 0.5 times the dimension of the constriction along thesecond direction, i.e. along the direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction of the inlet channel, preferably 0.5-2 times thedimension of the constriction.

The feature, characteristic of the present invention, regarding thedimensions of the second segment of the inlet channel providing anunhindered flow or transfer of liquid or water through the secondsegment is, in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of thefreezing mould bag according to the present invention, fulfilled,provided the second segment of the inlet channel has a maximum dimensionalong the second direction of the inlet channel being at least 1.6 timesthe dimension of the constriction along the second direction, preferably2-7 times the dimension of the constriction, further preferably 2.4-5times the dimension of the constriction, such as 2.6-3.4 times thedimension of the constriction.

In order to guarantee that the first segment of the inlet channel to nosubstantial extent hinders the flow of liquid or transfer of liquidthrough the first segment of the inlet channel and consequently reducesthe venturi effect generated at the constriction at the transitionbetween the first and the second segment of the inlet channel andconsequently reduces the relative pressure drop within the constriction,resulting in a reduced closing effect generated by a reduced venturieffect, the first segment of the inlet channel preferably in accordancewith the presently preferred embodiment of the freezing mould bagaccording to the present invention has a dimension, along the seconddirection of the inlet channel, i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection of the inlet channel, at the inlet opening being approximatelytwo times the dimension of the constriction along the second direction.

Similarly, the dimensions of the first and the second segment of theinlet channel along the first direction of the inlet channel are ofimportance as to the expansion of the first segment from theconstriction towards the inlet opening for generating the venturi effectwithin the constriction. Preferred and advantageous dimensions of theparts and components of the freezing mould bag are discussed in thebelow detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment of thefreezing mould bag according to the present invention and the belowExample.

The first segment of the inlet channel tapering from the inlet openingtowards the interior of the freezing mould bag may be bounded by jointsof any appropriate configuration, taking into consideration thegeneration of the venturi effect within the constriction. The firstsegment of the inlet channel may, consequently, be bounded by jointsconstituting straight lines or curved lines defining a first segment ofa convex or concave configuration. However, the joints defining thefirst segment are preferably constituted by straight lines or curvedlines defining a first segment of a basically concave configuration.

The second segment of the inlet channel may be bounded by joints of anyappropriate configuration, taking into consideration the fulfilling ofthe requirement as to to no substantial extent hinder the transfer ofliquid through the second segment, and further taking into considerationthe generation of the venturi effect within the constriction. The secondsegment of the inlet channel may, consequently, be bounded by jointsconstituting straight lines or curved lines, however, preferablyconstituting partly straight lines and partly curved lines, such assegments of circles defining a second segment of a convex or concaveconfiguration, preferably a second segment of a concave configuration.

The inlet channel comprising the first and the second segment may,fulfilling the above described requirements, be of an unsymmetricalconfiguration and further be of an overall curved configuration.However, in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of thefreezing mould bag according to the present invention, the inlet channelis substantially symmetrical relative to its longitudinal axis.

According to the presently preferred embodiment of the freezing mouldbag according to the present invention, the freezing mould bag comprisesa plurality of mould compartments, preferably more than two mouldcompartments, further preferably more than twelve mould compartments,such as eighteen or twenty-four mould compartments.

The feature, characteristic of the present invention and discussed aboveregarding the dimensions of the second segment of the inlet channel, isin accordance with the teaching of the present invention and inaccordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the freezing mouldbag according to the present invention fulfilled, provided the secondsegment has a size corresponding to approximately 1-2 times a singlemould compartment, preferably 2 times a single mould compartment.

The configuration of the second segment having dimensions so as toprovide the second segment having a size larger than the size of asingle mould compartment further serves the purpose of informing theconsumer that the second segment is different from mould compartments inwhich ice lumps or ice cubes are contained, as the ice lump or ice cubewhich is made from the liquid or water confined within the secondsegment of the inlet channel contains segments of the closure valveflaps frozen within the liquid or water, which segments are later onliberated, as the ice lump or ice cube is thawed.

The sheets of foil material from which the freezing mould bag iscomposed or made, and from which the closure valve flaps in accordancewith the presently preferred embodiment of the freezing mould bagaccording to the present invention are made from turned-in parts of thesheets, are preferably manufactured by cutting segments of continuouspaths of foil material as will be well-known within the art. The sheetsof foil material may further constitute segments of planar foil paths orsegments of foil paths provided with printings corresponding to themould compartments of the freezing mould bag. Prior to the operation ofcutting the two segments constituting the two sheets of the freezingmould bag according to the present invention from a single continuousfoil path or from two continuous foil paths, which segments aresubsequently to be joined together for creating the freezing mould bagaccording to the present invention, one of the continuous foil paths, incase a single continuous foil path is used, from which both segments arecut or punched, or in case only one of the segments is provided withprintings, or alternatively both continuous foil paths in case twocontinuous foil paths are employed for providing two segments to bejoined together constituting the freezing mould bag according to thepresent invention, is or are brought into contact with one or moreprinting tools, such as a punching tool or a heat-printing tool, e.g. aheated printing dye for generating the above-mentioned printingscorresponding to the mould compartments of the freezing mould bag. Thegeneration of printings of the sheets of the freezing mould bag or ofone of the sheets of the freezing mould bag, in case the freezing mouldbag is not of a symmetrical configuration, may serve the purpose ofallowing an increased filling of the interior of the freezing mould bagand consequently provide larger ice lumps or ice cubes within the samedimensions of the freezing mould bag as compared to a freezing mouldbag, the sheets of which are not provided with printings correspondingto the mould compartments of the freezing mould bag.

The sheets from which the freezing mould bag is produced may beconstituted by plastic foil sheets or aluminum foil sheets, and thejoints may be constituted by welded joints or glue joints. The sheetsmay further be constituted by laminates of e.g. plastics material andmetal foil or plastic foils to which a metal coating is applied in anevaporation process. The choice of foil material and the choice of thethickness of the foil material or foil materials firstly depends on theconsideration regarding, on the one hand, the provision of ahermetically sealed freezing mould bag, i.e. a freezing mould bag whichdoes not leak unintentionally and, on the other hand, the provision of afreezing mould bag which after the operation of freezing the liquid orwater to e.g. ice lumps or ice cubes is easily openable by cutting ortearing the sheets apart, and secondly depends on the provision of anefficient self-closing effect, i.e. taking into consideration partly theprovision of the venturi effect, characteristic of the presentinvention, at the constriction defined at the transistion between thefirst and the second segment of the inlet channel, and partly a reliablepermanent closing of the interior of the freezing mould bag by pressingthe closure valve flaps together, resulting from a complete distensionof the closure pockets with liquid or water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will now be further described with reference to thedrawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a schematical view of a presently preferred embodiment of thefreezing mould bag according to the present invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic, sectional and perspective views of thepresently preferred embodiment of the freezing mould bag according tothe present invention, illustrating the freezing mould bag in acompletely filled state having the inlet channel facing upwardly andhaving the inlet channel facing downwardly, respectively, illustratingthe venturi effect, characteristic of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a schematical view of a second embodiment of a freezing mouldbag according to the present invention, and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of a freezing mouldbag shown in FIG. 4 as viewed along the sectional line V--V.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, a first, presently preferred embodiment of a freezing mouldbag according to the present invention is shown in a plane andschematical view. The freezing mould bag is in its entirety designatedthe reference numeral 10. The freezing mould bag 10 is, as will beevident from the perspective and sectional views of FIGS. 2 and 3,illustrating the interior of the freezing mould bag composed of twoidentical plastic sheets, preferably sheets of LD polyethylene foil of athickness of 25 μm, or alternatively HD polyethylene foil of a thicknessof 18 μm, the sheets being designated the reference numerals 12 and 14.Each of the sheets 12 and 14 comprises a turned-in part designated thereference numerals 16 and 18, which turned-in parts extend within theinterior of the freezing mould bag 10 defining inner edges 17 and 19,respectively. The sheets 12 and 14 are of a substantially rectangularconfiguration and are arranged in an overlapping juxtaposed relationshipin which the above-mentioned turned-in parts 16 and 18 extend into theinterior of the freezing mould bag 10, as the sheets 12 and 14 arejoined together through partly a peripheral joint 20 extending along theperiphery of the sheets 12 and 14, except for an area to be describedbelow, and partly octagonal, discretely arranged joints 22 whichtogether, and together with the peripheral joint 20, define a total of24 individual mould compartments, one of which is designated thereference numeral 24.

At a central area of the edge of the freezing mould bag 10, which edgeis defined by the turned-in parts 16 and 18 of the sheets 12 and 14,respectively, the circumferential joint 20 is interrupted as the sheets12 and 14 are not joined together at this area so as to provide an inletopening at said area, which inlet opening constitutes an inlet openingof an inlet channel extending from the environment to the interior ofthe freezing mould bag 10. Said area defining the inlet opening of theinlet channel is designated the reference numeral 26. From theabove-mentioned edge, mutually convergent joints 28 extend towards theinterior of the freezing mould bag 10, which joints 28 terminate incircularly configurated reinforcing joints 30. The mutually convergentjoints 28 define a first segment of the inlet channel of the freezingmould bag 10 beyond which first segment mutually divergent joints 32define a second segment of the inlet channel, which second segment hasdimensions in a direction perpendicular to the inlet direction or thelongitudinal direction of the inlet channel far larger than thecorresponding dimensions of the first segment of the inlet channel. Theabove-mentioned circular reinforcing joints 30 define a constriction atthe conjunction or the transition between the first and the secondsegment of the inlet channel, which constriction serves a specificpurpose in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, aswill be described in greater detail below.

In FIG. 1, the two sheets 12 and 14 of the freezing mould bag arearranged in a substantial planar juxtaposed position as the interior ofthe freezing mould bag may be partially filled with air defining airpockets within the interior of the freezing mould bag. In FIG. 1, thefreezing mould bag 10 is shown having its inlet opening 26 facing to theright, which inlet opening 26, as is evident from FIG. 2, is facingupwardly as the freezing mould bag is being filled with liquid,preferably or specifically water to be frozen to ice lumps or ice cubes.In the present context, expressions such as upwardly, downwardly, upper,lower, etc. refer to an orientation of the freezing mould bag inrelation to the vertical direction defined by the gravitational force,which expressions are merely to be understood describing the normaloverall orientation of the freezing mould bag when in use as, of course,a larger or minor part of the freezing mould bag may be folded relativeto a specific direction such as the vertical direction and as thefreezing mould bag in its entirety may be kept in a sloping orientationrelative to a specific direction such as the vertical direction.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an upper part of the freezing mould bag 10disclosing the freezing mould bag 10 after the completion of theoperation in which the interior of the freezing mould bag is filled withliquid, preferably or specifically water to be frozen to ice lumps orice cubes, through the inlet opening 26 which is facing upwardly.

As is evident from FIG. 2, the liquid or water fills out the mouldcompartments 24 which are distended by the water pressure and furtherfills out the second segment of the inlet channel. By the filling out ofthe mould compartments 24 and further the filling out of the secondsegment of the inlet channel defined by the joints 32, the sheets 12 and14 are distended relative to one another by which distension theturned-in parts 16 and 18 of the sheets 12 and 14 are separated from oneanother resulting in a separation of the lower edges 17 and 19 of theturned-in parts 16 and 18, respectively, of the sheets 12 and 14. Theliquid or water filling out the interior of the freezing mould bag 10rises within the interior of the freezing mould bag on both sides of theturned-in parts 16 and 18 of the sheets 12 and 14, respectively, as theliquid or water rises within the cavities constituting closure pocketsdefined between the turned-in parts 16 and 18 of the sheets 12 and 14and the sheets 12 and 14, respectively, to a specific height determinedby the amount of air confined within the cavities or closure pockets.The surfaces of liquid or water rising within the closure pockets aredesignated the reference numerals 34 and 36. Between the turned-in parts16 and 18 within the inlet channel, the liquid or water rises to aheight corresponding to the upper edge of the inlet opening 26. Thesurface of the liquid or water present between the turned-in parts 16and 18 within the first segment of the inlet channel is designated thereference numeral 38. As is evident from FIG. 2, the turned-in parts 16and 18 of the sheets 12 and 14, respectively, define a basicallytapering inlet, guiding the liquid or water into the interior of thefreezing mould bag 10. The turned-in parts 16 and 18 further serve thepurpose of providing closure valve flaps which seal the interior of thefreezing mould bag relative to the environment, as the turned-in parts16 and 18 of the sheets 12 and 14, respectively, are pressed against oneanother within the inlet channel. As is evident from FIG. 2, the closingor sealing of the interior of the freezing mould bag 10 is notestablished at the time at which the liquid or water has been filledinto the interior of the freezing mould bag 10 as the air pockets abovethe liquid or water surfaces 34 and 36 within the closure pocketsdefined between the sheets 12 and 14 and the corresponding turned-inparts 16 and 18, respectively, thereof, and the presence of liquid orwater between the turned-in parts 16 and 18 of the foils 12 and 14,respectively, precludes the generation of a water pressure within thecavities, which water pressure is capable of pressing the closure valveflaps generated by the turned-in parts 16 and 18 against one another.

As the freezing mould bag 10 is turned upside down from its positionshown in FIG. 2 to its position shown in FIG. 3 in which the inletopening 26 faces downwardly, the liquid or water confined between theturned-in parts 16 and 18 of the inlet channel is expelled as indicatedby an arrow 40. In consequence of the expelling of liquid or water, arelative pressure drop is generated due to a venturi effect within theconstriction defined between the circular reinforcing joints 30 as theinlet channel expands from the constriction towards the inlet opening 26and as the second or inner segment of the inlet channel defined by themutually convergent joints 32 constitutes a sort of reservoir from whichliquid or water without hindering may flow towards the inlet opening ofthe inlet channel, i.e. without any substantial reduction of the flowrate of the liquid or channel so as to generate a maximum flow ratethrough the constriction defined between the circular reinforcing joints30 of the liquid flowing downwardly from the second segment of the inletchannel due to the gravitational force. By the generation of therelative pressure drop caused by the venturi effect within theconstriction between the circular reinforcing joints 30, a force impacton the turned-in parts 16 and 18 of the sheets 12 and 14 is generated,which force impact is illustrated in FIG. 3 by arrows 42. In response tothe force impact, the turned-in parts 16 and 18 of the sheets 12 and 14are caused to collapse and consequently pressed against one another soas to close the inlet channel defined between the turned-in parts 16 and18 of the sheets 12 and 14 at the constriction, whereupon the liquid orwater flowing from the interior of the freezing mould bag 10, moreprecisely flowing from the second segment of the inlet channel, flowsinto the closure pockets defined between the foils 12 and 14 and thecorresponding turned-in parts 16 and 18, respectively, thereof,generating a complete filling out of the closure pockets. By filling outthe closure pockets, the closure pockets are distended, resulting inthat the turned-in parts 16 and 18 defining the closure valve flaps arefurther pressed against one another creating a permanent closing of thefreezing mould bag 10.

The permanent closing of the freezing mould bag is further capable ofmaintaining the freezing mould bag hermetically sealed in case thefreezing mould bag is shifted from its position shown in FIG. 3 to aposition arranged in a substantially plane orientation on a supportingsurface, e.g. a supporting surface of a deep-freezer or a home freezerin order to guarantee that the amount of liquid or water confined withinthe interior of the freezing mould bag 10 does not to any substantialextent leak from the interior of the freezing mould bag 10 during thefreezing of the liquid or water. After the freezing of the liquid orwater confined within the mould compartments 24 of the freezing mouldbag 10, the freezing mould bag 10 and the ice lumps or ice cubes may beremoved from the deep-freezer or the home freezer, and the ice lumps orice cubes confined within the interior of the freezing mould bag 10 areeasily removed from the freezing mould bag 10 by simple tearing apart orcutting the sheets 12 and 14 of the freezing mould bag 10.

The freezing mould bag 10 is preferably made from sheets of plasticsfoil material which are cut from a continuous plastic foil path as theabove described joints 20,22,28,30 and 32 are preferably made byheat-welding the sheet materials together. Alternatively, the joints maybe established by glueing the sheets and the turned-in parts thereoftogther. It is to be noticed that the sheets 12 and 14 may be providedwith printings corresponding to the mould compartments 24 of thefreezing mould bag 10 in order to increase the volume of the ice lump orice cube which is produced by the amount of liquid or water confinedwithin the mould compartment 24.

Although the freezing mould bag 10 is preferably adapted and intended tobe used for freezing water for generating ice lumps or ice cubes, thefreezing mould bag 10 in itself, or a modified embodiment of thefreezing mould bag, may be used for freezing other materials such asfoodstuffs or the like which are frozen in individual minor portions.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, a schematical and plane view and a vertical sectionalview, respectively, of a second embodiment of the freezing mould bagaccording to the present invention are shown. The second embodimentbasically differs from the above described, presently preferred, firstembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 in that the circular reinforcing joints 30are omitted and in that the joints 28 defining the first segment of theinlet channel are constituted by linear joints.

In FIG. 4, the reference a indicates the width of the constriction atthe conjunction or the transition between the first segment and thesecond segment of the inlet channel. The reference b designates thedistance from the outermost end of one of the joints 28, i.e. theoutermost point of the constriction and the innermost end of the secondsegment in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction ofthe inlet channel. The reference c designates the distance between theconstriction at the width a and the edges 17 and 19 of the turned-inparts 16 and 18, respectively, of the sheets 12 and 14, respectively.The dimensions or distances a, b, and c preferably fulfil the followingrequirements. The distance b is preferably at least 0.3 times thedistance a, further preferably 0.5-3.0 times the distance a, furtherpreferably 0.7-2.0 times the distance a, such as 0.8-1.2 times thedistance a. The distance c is preferably at least 0.5 times the distancea, further preferably 0.5-2.0 times the distance a.

Example

A prototype implementation of the presently preferred embodiment of thefreezing mould bag according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1was made from two sheets of 25 μm thick LD polyethylene. Each of the 25μm thick LD polyethylene sheets 12 and 14 had a width of 18 cm and anoverall length of 38.5 cm, as each of the turned-in parts 16 and 18constituted a turned-in part of a length of 4.5 cm of each of the sheets12 or 14 of total lengths of 38.5 cm. The length of the freezing mouldbag 10 was, consequently, 34 cm. The 24 mould compartments 24 each had awidth of 4 cm and a length of 4.5 cm, as the opening between any twoadjacent mould compartments was 1 cm. The inlet opening 26 of the inletchannel had a width of 9 cm, and the length of the inlet channel fromthe inlet opening 26 to the constriction defined between the circularreinforcing joints 30, more precisely to the centres of the circularreinforcing joints 30, was 3.5 cm. The free distance within theconstriction defined between the circular reinforcing joints 30 was 18mm. The maximum width of the second segment of the inlet channel was 7.5cm, and the length of the second segment of the inlet channel, i.e. thedimension of the second segment of the inlet channel in the longitudinaldirection of the inlet channel was 2 cm. The overall length of the inletchannel was, consequently, 5.5 cm, and the edges 17 and 19 of theturned-in parts 16 and 18 defining the closure valve flaps were arrangedat a distance of 4.5 cm from the inlet opening. The edges 17 and 19,consequently, were arranged at the centre of the second segment of theinlet channel.

Experiments were made revealing that the freezing mould bag implementedin accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the freezingmould bag according to the present invention was functioning correctly,as the freezing mould bag was used in accordance with its intentionalapplication, i.e. the freezing mould bag was filled with water as shownin FIG. 2, whereupon the freezing mould bag was turned upside down fromits position shown in FIG. 2 to its position shown in FIG. 3, an amountof water was discharged from the freezing mould bag, which amount wassubstantially identical to the amount of water confined between theclosure valve flaps defined by the turned-in parts 16 and 18, i.e. theexcess amount of water present between the turned-in parts 16 and 18 ofthe sheets 12 and 14 after a complete filling of the interior of thefreezing mould bag.

The experiments revealed that the prototype implemented in accordancewith the presently preferred embodiment of the freezing mould bagaccording to the present invention provides a safe and reliableself-closing of the interior of the freezing mould bag in accordancewith the venturi effect, characteristic of the present invention,generated within the constriction of the inlet channel prior to acomplete filling of the cavities defined between the sheets 12 and 14and the turned-in parts 16 and 18, respectively, thereof, definingclosure valve flaps providing the permanent closing or sealing of theinterior of the freezing mould bag relative to the environment.

We claim:
 1. A freezing mould bag comprising:two sheets of a foilmaterial, said sheets being of substantially identical geometrical shapeand defining an outer periphery, a peripheral joint extending along themajority of said outer periphery of said sheets, except for a peripheralarea constituting an inlet opening of said bag, said peripheral jointjoining said sheets together in substantially overlapping relationshipand defining an inner space within the interior of said bag, said innerspace constituting at least one mould compartment, an inlet channeldefined by separate joints of said sheets and extending from said innerspace of said bag to said inlet opening so as to provide access from theenvironment to said inner space of said bag through said inlet channel,two closure valve flaps connected to said sheets at said inlet openingand extending from said inlet opening within the interior of said bagtowards said inner space of said bag along said inlet channel, saidclosure valve flaps being joined together and being joined to saidsheets through said separate joints defining said inlet channel so as toprovide two closure pockets being open towards said inner space of saidbag, said inlet channel comprising a first segment and a second segment,said first segment being provided adjacent to said inlet opening, andsaid second segment interconnecting said first segment and said mouldcompartment, said first segment tapering towards said second segment,said first segment and said second segment defining at their transitiona constriction, said inlet channel defining a first directionconstituting the longitudinal direction of said inlet channel, and asecond direction perpendicular to said first direction, said closurevalve flaps extending from said inlet opening beyond said constrictionat said transition, said second segment comprising a chamber defined byjoints adjacent to said constriction diverging substantially along saidsecond direction, linked by side joints to further joints being adjacentto said mould compartment, said further joints converging along saidsecond direction to at least one passage into the inner space of saidbag, said second segment having a maximum dimension of at least twotimes the dimension of said constriction, providing a liquid or waterreservoir, from which liquid or water without hindering may flow towardsthe inlet opening through said constriction after the freezing mould baghas been filled with liquid or water through said inlet opening in afirst position, in which said inlet opening faces upwardly, and afterthe freezing mould bag has been turned to a second position, in whichsaid inlet opening faces downwardly, and said constriction at saidtransition providing a venturi effect for generating a pressure drop atsaid constriction for closing said inlet channel at said constriction asliquid is flowing from said second segment towards said first segmentthrough said constriction so as to generate a self-closing effect.
 2. Afreezing mould bag according to claim 1, said closure valve flaps beingconstituted by turned-in parts of said sheets.
 3. The freezing mould bagaccording to claim 1, said closure valve flaps extending to a positionapproximately at the center of said second segment.
 4. The freezingmould bag according to claim 1, said closure valve flaps extending to aposition adjacent to said constriction.
 5. The freezing mould bagaccording to claim 1, said closure valve flaps extending substantiallyalong the entire inlet channel.
 6. The freezing mould bag according toclaim 1, said closure valve flaps extending to a position defining adistance from said constriction being at least 0.5 times the dimensionof said constriction.
 7. The freezing mould bag according to claim 6,said distance being in the range from 0.5 to 2 times the dimensions ofsaid constriction.
 8. The freezing mould bag according to claim 1, saidmaximum dimension of said second segment along said second direction ofsaid inlet channel being is the range from 2 to 7 times the dimension ofsaid constriction.
 9. The freezing mould bag according to claim 8, saidmaximum dimension of said second segment along said second direction ofsaid inlet channel being in the range from 2.4 to 5 times the dimensionof said constriction.
 10. The freezing mould bag according to claim 8,said maximum dimension of said second segment along said seconddirection of said inlet channel being in the range from 2.6 to 3.4 timesthe dimension of said constriction.
 11. The freezing mould bag accordingto claim 1, said first segment having a dimension along said seconddirection along said inlet channel at said inlet opening beingapproximately two times the dimensions of said constriction along saidsecond direction.
 12. The freezing mould bag according to claim 1, saidfirst segment being defined by joints constituting straight lines orcurved lines.
 13. The freezing mould bag according to claim 1, saidfirst segment being of a convex or concave configuration.
 14. Thefreezing mould bag according to claim 1, said second segment beingbounded by joints constituting straight lines or curved lines.
 15. Thefreezing mould bag according to claim 14, said curved lines constitutingsegments of circles and said second segment being of a convex or concaveconfiguration.
 16. The freezing mould bag according to claim 1, saidinlet channel being substantially symmetrical relative to itslongitudinal axis.
 17. The freezing mould bag according to claim 1, saidsheets constituting segments of planar foil parts provided withprintings corresponding to said mould compartments.
 18. The freezingmould bag according to claim 1, said sheets constituting segments offoil parts provided with printings corresponding to said mouldcompartments.
 19. The freezing mould bag according to claim 1, saidsheets being plastic foil sheets.
 20. The freezing mould bag accordingto claim 1, said sheets being aluminum foil sheets.
 21. The freezingmould bag according to claim 1, said joints being constituted by weldedjoints.
 22. The freezing mould bag according to claim 1, said jointsbeing constituted by glued joints.
 23. A freezing mould bagcomprising:two sheets of a foil material, said sheets being ofsubstantially identical geometrical shape and defining an outerperiphery, a peripheral joint extending along the majority of said outerperiphery of said sheets, except for a peripheral area constituting aninlet opening of said bag, said peripheral joint joining said sheetstogether in substantially overlapping relationship and defining an innerspace within the interior of said bag, said inner space constituting atleast one mould compartment, an inlet channel defined by separate jointsof said sheets and extending from said inner space of said bag to saidinlet opening so as to provide access from the environment to said innerspace of said bag through said inlet channel, two closure valve flapsconnected to said sheets at said inlet opening and extending from saidinlet opening within the interior of said bag towards said inner spaceof said bag along said inlet channel, said closure valve flaps beingconstituted by turned-in parts of said sheets and joined together andbeing joined to said sheets through said separate joints defining saidinlet channel so as to provide two closure pockets being open towardssaid inner space of said bag, said inlet channel comprising a firstsegment and a second segment, said first segment being provided adjacentto said inlet opening, and said second segment interconnecting saidfirst segment and said mould compartment, said first segment taperingtowards said second segment, said first segment and said second segmentdefining at their transition a constriction, said inlet channel defininga first direction constituting the longitudinal direction of said inletchannel, and a second direction perpendicular to said first direction,said closure valve flaps extending from said inlet opening beyond saidconstriction at said transition, said second segment comprising achamber defined by joints adjacent to said constriction divergingsubstantially along said second direction, linked by side joints tofurther joints being adjacent to said mould compartment, said furtherjoints converging along said second direction to at least one passageinto the inner space of said bag, said second segment having a maximumdimension of at least two times the dimension of said constriction,providing a liquid or water reservoir, from which liquid or waterwithout hindering may flow towards the inlet opening through saidconstriction after the freezing mould bag has been filled with liquid orwater through said inlet opening in a first position, in which saidinlet opening faces upwardly, and after the freezing mould bag has beenturned to a second position, in which said inlet opening facesdownwardly, and said constriction at said transition providing a venturieffect for generating a pressure drop at said constriction for closingsaid inlet channel at said constriction as liquid is flowing from saidsecond segment towards said first segment through said constriction soas to generate a self-closing effect.
 24. A freezing mould bagcomprising:two sheets of a foil material, said sheets being ofsubstantially identical geometrical shape and defining an outerperiphery, a peripheral joint extending along the majority of said outerperiphery of said sheets, except for a peripheral area constituting aninlet opening of said bag, said peripheral joint joining said sheetstogether in substantially overlapping relationship and defining an innerspace within the interior of said bag, said inner space constituting aplurality of mould compartments being interconnected and being definedby additional joints of said sheets, an inlet channel defined byseparate joints of said sheets and extending from said inner space ofsaid bag to said inlet opening so as to provide access from theenvironment to said inner space of said bag through said inlet channel,two closure valve flaps connected to said sheets at said inlet openingand extending from said inlet opening within the interior of said bagtowards said inner space of said bag along said inlet channel, saidclosure valve flaps being joined together and being joined to saidsheets through said separate joints defining said inlet channel so as toprovide two closure pockets being open towards said inner space of saidbag, said inlet channel comprising a first segment and a second segment,said first segment being provided adjacent to said inlet opening, andsaid second segment interconnecting said first segment and said mouldcompartments, said first segment tapering towards said second segment,said first segment and said second segment defining at their transitiona constriction, said inlet channel defining a first directionconstituting the longitudinal direction of said inlet channel, and asecond direction perpendicular to said first direction, and said closurevalve flaps extending from said inlet opening beyond said constrictionat said transition, said second segment comprising a chamber defined byjoints adjacent to said constriction diverging substantially along saidsecond direction, linked by side joints to further joints being adjacentto said or mould compartments, said further joints converging along saidsecond direction to at least one passage into the inner space of saidbag, said second segment having a maximum dimension of at least twotimes the dimension of said constriction, providing a liquid or waterreservoir, from which liquid or water without hindering may flow towardsthe inlet opening through said constriction after the freezing mould baghas been filled with liquid or water through said inlet opening in afirst position, in which said inlet opening faces upwardly, and afterthe freezing mould bag has been turned to a second position, in whichsaid inlet opening faces downwardly, and said constriction at saidtransition providing a venturi effect for generating a pressure drop atsaid constriction for closing said inlet channel at said constriction asliquid is flowing from said second segment towards said first segmentthrough said constriction so as to generate a self-closing effect. 25.The freezing mould bag according to claim 24, said second segment havinga size in the range from approximately 1 to 2 times the size of a singlemould compartment.
 26. The freezing mould bag according to claim 24,said closure valve flaps extending to a position approximately at thecenter of said second segment.
 27. The freezing mould bag according toclaim 24, said closure valve flaps extending to a position adjacent tosaid constriction.
 28. The freezing mould bag according to claim 24,said closure valve flaps extending substantially along the entire inletchannel.
 29. The freezing mould bag according to claim 24, said closurevalve flaps extending to a position defining a distance from saidconstriction being at least 0.5 times the dimension of saidconstriction.
 30. The freezing mould bag according to claim 29, saiddistance in the range from 0.5 to 2 times the dimensions of saidconstriction.
 31. The freezing mould bag according to claim 24, saidmaximum dimension of said second segment along said second direction ofsaid inlet channel being in the range from 2 to 7 times the dimension ofsaid constriction.
 32. The freezing mould bag according to claim 31,said maximum dimension of said second segment along said seconddirection of said inlet channel being in the range from 2.4 to 5 timesthe dimension of said constriction.
 33. The freezing mould bag accordingto claim 31, said maximum dimension of said second segment along saidsecond direction of said inlet channel being in the range from 2.6 to3.4 times the dimension of said constriction.
 34. The freezing mould bagaccording to claim 24, said first segment having a dimension along saidsecond direction along said inlet channel at said inlet opening beingapproximately two times the dimensions of said constriction along saidsecond direction.
 35. The freezing mould bag according to claim 24, saidfirst segment being defined by joints constituting straight lines orcurved lines.
 36. The freezing mould bag according to claim 24, saidfirst segment being of a convex or concave configuration.
 37. Thefreezing mould bag according to claim 24, said second segment beingbounded by joints constituting straight lines or curved lines.
 38. Thefreezing mould bag according to claim 37, said curved lines constitutingsegments of circles and said second segment being of a convex or concaveconfiguration.
 39. The freezing mould bag according to claim 24, saidinlet channel being substantially symmetrical relative to itslongitudinal axis.
 40. The freezing mould bag according to claim 24,said sheets constituting segments of planar foil pans provided withprintings corresponding to said mould compartments.
 41. The freezingmould bag according to claim 24, said sheets constituting segments offoil parts provided with printings corresponding to said mouldcompartments.
 42. The freezing mould bag according to claim 24, saidsheets being plastic foil sheets.
 43. The freezing mould bag accordingto claim 24, said sheets being aluminum foil sheets.
 44. The freezingmould bag according to claim 24, said joints being constituted by weldedjoints.
 45. The freezing mould bag according to claim 24, said Jointsbeing constituted by glued joints.